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Anyway, well done to Cook for scoring the runs. It's a shame he wasn't able to score them against Starc and a well Cummins earlier when we were still playing for the Ashes, but they still had to be scored and to bat the length of time he did was a phenomenal effort, which I'm not sure any of his team mates could have managed (with the possible exception of Root).

Those criticising Cook might do well to remember how abysmal the parade of iniquity of his opening partners has been. If you're going to drop him, you better be bloody sure that replacement will average more and deliver more - including or excluding double tons. Also, how ****ed would England be in this test without the double ton? Easy to say it's been on a flat deck, but only Cook and Warner have delivered.

Similar to when King Kevin was absurdly axed with no replacement in place, and there still isnít.

Ah but Root was already in the team, he wasnít a replacement. England still await that player.

He wasn't at four.

The team is evolving. KP would have retired. You and other obsessed KP fans behave as if he is still ready to step in and perform miracles. You disagreed with the way he was handled by the ECB. That's your prerogative. But it was four years ago. These days KP himself is more interested in the fate of the black rhino than cricket.

All over twitter today are KP fans (led on by their high priest Piers Morgan) vilifying Cook as the devil incarnate and rubbishing his record-breaking double century simply because he was the England captain when England was sacked. The England captain who actually brought KP back into the team the first time he had been dropped in 2012. Is this vendetta going to go on forever? It's sport. Cricket is a short career. Be like Elsa. Let it go.

Ah king Kevin who has been making more friends today with his comments about dead rubbers. Anyone who thinks he would not be a nightmare in a team environment has never been in one.

I don't honestly think it's new friends. Just his usual obsessives.

Well said MPV for stressing the importance of playing for pride.

Also: how would KP and Piers feel if this time England avoided the same abysmal whitewash that happened last time? Presumably contemptuous of the team's attempt to regain respect. We must assume that in 2013/14 thoughts about team spirit, pride and respect did not trouble Kevin.

So let's presume England bat for another 10 overs tomorrow, for a lead of 190. That gives Aus 75 overs of batting, in which they could accumulate 260-290 runs? So a lead of 100 at most by the end of day 4. It could be set up for an exciting day 5, after 4 days of lifeless dirge.

Also: how would KP and Piers feel if this time England avoided the same abysmal whitewash that happened last time? Presumably contemptuous of the team's attempt to regain respect. We must assume that in 2013/14 thoughts about team spirit, pride and respect did not trouble Kevin.

Good job you werenít lobbying on behalf of Terry Waite, Nelson Mandela and the Guildford Four.

So let's presume England bat for another 10 overs tomorrow, for a lead of 190. That gives Aus 75 overs of batting, in which they could accumulate 260-290 runs? So a lead of 100 at most by the end of day 4. It could be set up for an exciting day 5, after 4 days of lifeless dirge.

Don't agree it's been lifeless dirge.

I think it's been some of the best cricket this series (which may admittedly say more about the series). That post-lunch session on the first day where only 50 runs were scored but England dragged it back after Australia got away is the type of thing test cricket is all about. Batsmen have had to work - which is how it should be - but Warner scored at a strikerate of 70 and Cook (Cook!) at 60 showing you could score runs and at a decent clip. There was enough reward for the bowlers for Australia to lose their last 7 wickets for 67.

Also: how would KP and Piers feel if this time England avoided the same abysmal whitewash that happened last time? Presumably contemptuous of the team's attempt to regain respect. We must assume that in 2013/14 thoughts about team spirit, pride and respect did not trouble Kevin.

KP said now the series was gone they aren't playing for the glory they are playing for their places. Had anyone else said it I doubt it would have been controversial. Presumably you would give the team a ticker-tape parade on their return if they managed to win at the MCG and SCG?